Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Family Ties ❯ Chapter 70 ( Chapter 70 )

"Family Ties"

 

January 2007 ShenLong

 

Chapter 70

 

"Anything else you need, Agent Day?" asked the tech.

 

"Iie. Thank you," replied Heero and adjusted his seat before bringing up the main frame data base.

 

"I'll leave you to it then. If you need anything at all, just call out, I'll be over the other side.” The tech left Heero to continue in peace.

 

Having brought up the main frame on the screen, Heero typed in the passwords he'd been given and delved deeper into the data base that was the Preventer network. He located the shuttle programs and noted they were all fed through the main frame. That would make his job a little easier. Picking up the disc, he slotted it into the driver on the computer and typed away, isolating the shuttle program and setting the disc and its program to work in converting the files. Whilst the program was running, Heero spoke with the other two techs that had been assigned to him and briefed them on what he planned to do.

 

Leaving the two techs to keep an eye on the main frame program, Heero took the other disc and left the room, aiming for the shuttle command center.

 

The head of shuttle control greeted him, having already been briefed on the situation, and directed Heero straight to the waiting console. Heero was pleased to note the entire shuttle fleets' file systems were opened and waiting for him. Thanking the control head, Heero slipped the disc into the slot and and prepared to start downloading to convert all the on board computer files.

 

“Which shuttle will Agent Fire be using?” Heero questioned.

 

The head of control picked up his clipboard and checked down the list. “Agent Fire will be using the latest shuttle; PA 221.” he replied. “It's got all the latest features on it including stealth mode.”

 

Heero quirked an eyebrow at that information. “Stealth Mode?”

 

“Yes. We are in the process of converting all the other shuttles to carry the same, but this one is a new shuttle and comes with it built in.”

 

“Hn.” Heero didn't bother to ask where the shuttle had come from. He already knew that Howard and the rest of the sweepers were branching off into craft building, the world of scrap dealing starting to dry up somewhat. The sweepers were a versatile bunch and with Howard's knowledge of space craft, whether they be Gundams, shuttles or larger, space cruisers, it seemed natural for the group to go in for the building of such craft. Preventer had put in an order for three of the newer type shuttles, ones that Howard had designed himself and it would seem that the first of the three was finished and delivered for use. Heero made a mental note to let Howard know to convert all the file systems in the on board computers of all craft as soon as possible too.

 

Typing in a few commands, Heero pulled up the shuttle he needed, isolated it from the others and set to converting the system himself. Whilst he was busy doing that, he set the disc he'd loaded earlier to begin converting the files on all the other shuttles.

 

* * *

 

“Anything else you need, sir?”

 

“No, I think that will be all,” replied Wufei as he checked the pack. Turning to the other two, he questioned, “You got everything?”

 

“Yes,” stated Trowa as he zipped up his pack.

 

“Mine is fine,” added Quatre, stuffing the last couple of emergency ration bars into the side pocket of his pack.

 

“Then let us head for the locker rooms and get suited up.” Heaving the pack to his shoulder, Wufei led the way through the building to the locker rooms.

 

“Kind of reminds me of the war days,” muttered Quatre as he pulled the tightly fitting suit up his legs.

 

“I agree with you there,” commented Trowa, sliding his arms through the tight fabric and then zipping it up.

 

“The view is just as nice though.”

 

Trowa blushed. “These damn suits always were too revealing,” he muttered.

 

“Oh, I don't know,” came his husband's cheeky reply. “I always did kinda like those tight jeans you wore, these suits only put things into a better proportion.” He added a leer at Trowa's groin for good measure.

 

“If you two have finished discussing the nature of these suits, I suggest we start moving,” Wufei interrupted.

 

“By all means,” replied Quatre. “Let's be on our way, the back view is just as nice as the front.”

 

Wufei gave a shake of his head, Trowa rolled his visible eye and picked up his pack and duffel, making sure that Quatre was beside him and not behind.

 

“The shuttles are this way,” Wufei snipped and proceeded to lead the way, Quatre and Trowa falling into step with him.

 

* * *

 

“That's enough for today.”

 

Duo gave a soft sigh and rolled his aching shoulders. He shut down the console and stood up, Young motioning for him to move ahead and back to his 'prison'. It wasn't a long walk and soon Duo found himself back within the same four, metallic walls. There was no sign of Duric and someone had left a change of clothes on the bunk Duo noticed.

 

The door closed behind him and once he knew he was alone, Duo let his shoulders slump. He rubbed his tired eyes and shuffled over to the pile of clothing. Rummaging through it, he managed to find a pair of pants that looked like they might fit and a washed out t-shirt. With the items in hand, he went through to the small bathroom and took a quick shower.

 

Despite the water being recycled and carrying a rather strong chemical smell, Duo felt the relief that only a shower could bring. Not only did it wash away the dirt and grime, but it seemed to cleanse his soul as well. He just wished he could wash his hair - it did need it. Unfortunately, water was at a premium and rationed. Showers only lasted a bare couple of minutes at best and then the water slowed to a trickle. Certainly nowhere near long enough for him to clean the mane properly. He sighed. It would just have to wait until he got out of here.

 

That was the first thing he promised himself. Once he was free of the satellite, Barton and this `prison', once all had been taken care of, he fully intended to take a long soak in the hot tub back at the mansion and indulge in washing his hair.

 

That and find himself a large, juicy orange to enjoy.

 

His lips quirked up slightly with that thought. His hand automatically strayed to his belly and he caressed it gently. He was pretty certain that Nurse Brown was correct when she'd voiced her concern that Duo was possibly pregnant again. When he cast his mind back to his pregnancy with Keitaro, the similarities were just too close for him to dismiss.

 

His bladder and the frequent trips to the toilet, the craving for something; this time oranges, the fact that he hadn't bled in a while, the nausea in the morning and the settling effect the tea appeared to have on it - it all added up to his carrying a child again.

 

That worried him.

 

He knew how risky carrying Keitaro had been, and he'd had constant supervision during those months. Sally had warned him that getting pregnant again so soon after delivering Keitaro was something to be avoided. His body had only just started to feel like his again, the muscle tone returning along with his normal, trim figure. The scars from the previous pregnancy were still fresh, still too unstable to risk another so soon.

 

He frowned as he wondered exactly how he could have fallen pregnant again. Well, he knew how, but they had been using protection when Heero had topped and Duo usually took Heero when he was around the risky time of his cycle. Despite all his searching his memory, he couldn't come up with anything.

 

Duo was aware of the consequences this pregnancy could possibly have on his body, and even his life, but right now there wasn't a great deal he could do about it.

 

He knew in his heart that Heero would be pretty much tearing apart the earth and colonies to find him, all he had to do was wait, be patient, stay alive and hope the clues he'd left behind would assist his husband in finding him. All that and do his level best to stop Barton.

 

Not much at all, really.

 

“Hey, munchkin,” Duo said softly as he continued to caress the soft swell of his abdomen. “It's just you and me, kid, for the moment. Guess we will need to try and get along if we wish to stay alive.”

 

The sound of the outer door opening told him that Duric was probably back and Duo quickly finished drying himself off and got dressed. Stepping out of the small bathroom, he noted the other man lying on his bunk, exhaustion lines around the eyes and mouth. “Tough day?”

 

“You could say that,” replied Duric with a grunt. “You finished in there?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Duric grabbed what remained of the clothing and pushed past Duo into the small bathroom, closing the door firmly behind him. “Wonder what crawled up his ass and died,” Duo muttered to his stomach.

 

By the time Duric had finished his ablutions, dinner had arrived. Duo sat on his bunk, picking at the meal of what was supposed to be beef stew. It consisted mainly of a watery gravy with a few bits of vegetable floating around and the odd piece of what Duo thought must be the beef. At least they had a couple of stale, bread rolls to go with it. Whilst not the most appetizing of meals, Duo forced his down as he needed any and all nutrition he could get. He just hoped he didn't get sick from it.

 

Once the dishes had been collected, Duo knew they would have an hour before the lights would go out and the night cycle would commence. He decided to try and get some information from Duric in regards to the troops.

 

“You found out much about the troops?” Nothing like the direct approach.

 

Duric snorted. “You call them troops? I've seen better coordination amongst a group of kindergarten kids!”

 

“Ah.”

 

“You done anything about your side yet?” Duric snapped, unwilling to give up any information if he wasn't getting anything in return.

 

“As a matter of fact, I have.” Duo was doing some quick thinking. He didn't want to let Duric in on the professor if he could help it.

 

“What?”

 

“You gonna fill me in on the troops?” Duo's eyes glinted in the artificial light.

 

Duric swallowed, his memory reminding him of the unholy look and lightning reflexes of the other man. “Okay. This army appears to be mostly made up of the scum from L2. All those that I've spoken to are either ex servicemen from the war or have some sort of criminal background on L2.”

 

When Duo raised an eyebrow, Duric continued. “There are drug runners, arms smugglers, gang leaders - all that type of person; you should know the type, coming from L2 yourself.”

 

Duo did. It would appear that Barton had surrounded himself with the scum all right. Quite the clever move Duo had to admit. “Smart man.”

 

“Eh? Smart man? How the fuck can you say that?!”

 

“These sorts of people are out to make a quick buck, the promise of money and the chance to escape the poverty cycle of L2 would have been a wonderful enticement. Barton, by having these people as his army is in fact, quite smart. They don't give a shit who they kill, who they take down, just as long as the price is right.”

 

Duric had to think about that. Then he snickered. “Well, all I can say is they're totally useless as an army.”

 

“How so?” Duo demanded.

 

“They don't react like soldiers do. You can pick out the ones that have had previous military training, this lot is taking their sweet time in learning to obey orders.”

 

Duo shifted suddenly. “That could be it,” he exclaimed.

 

“Could be what?”

 

“That could be where Barton lets himself down.” Duo faced Duric and looked the other man directly in the eye. “How many would you say are ex servicemen?”

 

“Out of the entire force; about twenty percent.”

 

“Ha.”

 

“You care to let me in on what is going through that skull of yours?”

 

With a gleam in his eye, Duo told Duric exactly what he thought would happen. “Once these guys find themselves in a combat situation, they will revert back to their old ways, regardless of what they've been taught. When the bullets start flying it will be each man for himself and not the organized, watching each others backs, that you do when soldier trained. These guys will instinctively look out for themselves.”

 

“How do you know that?”

 

“Having lived on the streets, you get to see this sort of thing all the time. When it comes down to the wire, these guys don't give a shit for anything other than their own skin.” Duo thought for a moment. “When you're training them, are you training all of them, some of them, the ex servicemen or just the crims?”

 

“I'm mostly training the crims with the assistance of some of the ex servicemen; why?”

 

“Do me a favor?”

 

“What?” Duric snarled as his eyes narrowed.

 

“Nothing hard, just plant a few seeds of doubt in their minds. You know, sort of let it slip in idle conversation that there could be a shoot out at some stage down the track, put them into situations in their training that would test their loyalty to each other and let me know what happens?”

 

“I suppose I could do that,” Duric grunted. “It wouldn't look suspicious.”

 

“No, it wouldn't. If what you say about them is correct, and going on my own experiences from the past, I'd say when the shit does hit the fan these blokes will be running for cover and not worrying too much about fighting back or looking after each other.”

 

“What about you? You said you were doing something on your side.”

 

“I have. I've uploaded a code into the mobile dolls that when Barton releases his Firecell will see the code activate and the systems for the mobile dolls will short circuit.”

 

“The dolls won't be operational?”

 

“They won't be able to be controlled by someone back here at base, they will only be able to be operated manually - that means the pilots will have to rely on their own skills and abilities,” replied Duo.

 

“Why couldn't you fry them completely? Lousy bastards deserve all they get.”

 

“Unlike you, I don't enjoy killing people, did far too much of that during the war. I'd much rather talk to them first, if that fails I prefer to take out my targets by disabling them, not killing them.” Seeing the look in Duric's eye, Duo lowered his voice a touch. “But that doesn't mean I won't kill; especially if someone has harmed what is mine.”

 

Fortunately for Duric, the lights went out at that point, although he could swear a pair of violet eyes with a demon flame in them watched him all night.

 

* * *

 

“All finished,” said Heero and removed the disc from the drive.

 

“Only about another half hour on these and they will be done too,” commented the tech who had been brought in to assist Heero in the shuttle file conversions.

 

Heero took a moment to check the status of the conversion and gave a satisfied grunt. Settling back in front of his own terminal again, he ran a check through the shuttle, scanning all files and was pleased to note they all came back clean and converted to the new system.

 

“Is the shuttle all finished and ready to go?” asked the head of the department. “I have the agents all ready and standing by to board once you give the all clear.”

 

Heero turned around. “Yes, everything is done. I'll just go down and speak with the agents before they board.”

 

The head nodded and turned back to his clipboard, Heero exited and made his way through the corridors to the flight room where the shuttle pilots, crew and agents would muster to board. Entering, he noted the three agents all kitted out and ready to go.

 

“Yuy,” Chang acknowledged.

 

“Heero, did you manage to sort out the shuttle?” asked Quatre politely.

 

“Hai, I did. All files are converted to the new system. Heero walked over to where Wufei was checking over his pack. “Chang?”

 

“Yuy?”

 

“Could I have a moment please?”

 

Wufei stopped his current task, exited the room into the small corridor that led to the shuttle and gave the other agent his full attention.

 

“All the files have been converted over in the on board computer. Presuming the theory is correct, when the Firecell is activated it shouldn't affect the shuttle computer at all, you should still have access to all programs.”

 

“But?” questioned Wufei. He knew Heero well enough by now to know the agent hadn't taken him aside to simply explain what he was already aware of. No, Yuy had something more to add or his name wasn't Chang Wufei.

 

“If for any reason the theory is wrong and the Firecell does affect the files and cause the computer to crash, I have a back up plan. On the main console type in the code; Y1M2=K3. That code will turn the computer circuits off, and I mean completely off. It will wipe the hard drive and there will be no computer at all. The shuttle will still be fine to fly, but you will have to do it all manually. The navigation equipment and all flight data will no longer be available as they are computer based; in fact, anything that relies on the computer will cease to function. Those instruments that can function without a computer will still remain available to you, but you will be right back to the basics.”

 

“Ah. I see,” replied Wufei. “I'll be sure to check we have all available stellar maps on board then as an added precaution.” Wufei raised his hand to Heero's shoulder and squeezed. “Thank you, my friend. I knew you wouldn't let us out there without some form of back up.

 

“You can thank me by finding Duo and bringing him home safe to me,” replied Heero in a whisper.

 

“That will be one promise I fully intend to keep.”

 

“Stay safe and god speed.”

 

Wufei nodded, picked up his pack and made his way to the shuttle. Heero stepped back inside the flight room where Trowa and Quatre were shouldering their packs and preparing to board the shuttle.

 

“Good luck,” Heero said.

 

“We will do our best to find Duo whilst we're out there checking the satellite,” replied Trowa.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Quatre wasn't having any of the handshaking thing, he pulled Heero in for a tight hug. “Take care of yourself, Heero. We will find Duo, I know we will.”

 

Feeling the heat of tears forming in his eyes, Heero was quick to blink them away. “I know you will do everything you can to try and locate Duo. It should be me though that is out there looking for him, not you three risking your lives.”

 

“He's our family, just as you are, Heero. This is what we do for family. I know you want to be out there too, right now though, your skills are required here to prevent the loss of innocent lives.” Quatre did his best to comfort the agent.

 

Giving a loud sigh, Heero admitted defeat. “Take care, all of you.” With a nod to back his words, Heero spun on his heel and left the three to finish off their pre-takeoff flight check.

 

Trowa joined Wufei in the cockpit of the shuttle once he'd finished stowing his gear. Quatre slipped into the navigators seat a couple of minutes after Trowa and commenced checking that the course plan had been entered into the computer. Reaching for a clipboard, Quatre double checked that the plan on the computer screen was the same as the clipboard.

 

Wufei finished the pre-flight check and stuck the clipboard back into the holder. “Preventer control, this is shuttle PA 221 requesting clearance to take off.”

 

“Shuttle PA 221, this is Preventer control. You are cleared for take off on launch ramp three. Proceed to launch ramp and await final clearance.”

 

“Roger that, control. Proceeding to launch ramp three.” Wufei pushed a few buttons and felt the slight jarring as the shuttle connected with the small, 'tow' vehicle that would take them out to the launch area. Ten minutes later, the shuttle was in position, the chain attached to the underbelly and the shuttle pulled backwards into launch position. The ramp was long and curved so that the shuttle would pick up maximum thrust with minimal power and be able to shoot off into the air and evade the pull of earth gravity without wasting valuable fuel.

 

It was a large improvement on the shuttle launches from pre-colony days.

 

“This is shuttle PA 221 to control. We are in position and awaiting final clearance.”

 

“Shuttle PA 221, this is Preventer control. Commence engine start up.”

 

Trowa flipped a couple of switches and depressed the button, the engines fired up with an impressive roar and then settled to a loud hum.

 

“Control, this is shuttle PA 221. Engines are fired and ready.”

 

“Shuttle PA 221, this is control. Build engine power to three thousand, hold at that rate and confirm.”

 

“Roger that, control. Building engine power now.” Wufei eased the lever forward and watched the gauges as the engine revolutions began to build. Beside him Trowa counted down the build up.

 

“One thousand, one thousand five hundred, two thousand. Two thousand five hundred, three thousand.”

 

“Preventer control, shuttle PA 221 is at three thousand revs and holding.”

 

“Roger that. Slingshot mechanism is connecting now.”

 

The group on board felt the shuttle vibrate and a loud 'clang' as the slingshot mechanism that would assist in shooting them off the end of the ramp and into space, connected with the base of the shuttle.

 

“Slingshot mechanism locked in place,” Wufei reported.

 

“Shuttle PA 221, prepare for take off. Ten... nine... eight...”

 

Everyone inside the shuttle double checked their harnesses were strapped tight. Each had different thoughts swirling in their heads, but they were all aiming for the same end result.

 

“Three... two... one. Slingshot engaged. Good luck, agents.”

 

The shuttle shuddered for a moment, the engines increased their whine and then they were hurtling down the ramp, speed building at a rapid pace. They hit the bottom and began to curve upwards, the mechanism disengaging as they reached the end of the ramp and shot off into the earth's atmosphere and then out into space.

 

* * *

 

Heero watched the tiny shuttle as it shot down the ramp, up the other side and then off the end and on its journey. His gut still twisted, dearly wanting to be on that shuttle and finding his husband, Barton and the rest of this group. But he had another job to do first. With a heavy sigh, he returned to the tech that had been helping him with the reprogramming of the shuttles.

 

With the files on the shuttle program all converted, Heero made his way back to the main frame department and called the commander to bring her up to speed on his progress so far.

 

“Thank you, Agent Day. When you commence the change over of the files on the data base, please start with the communications section.”

 

“Roger that.”

 

“From there progress through the remaining files until all are converted.”

 

“Yes, ma'am.”

 

“Agent Day?”

 

“Hai?”

 

“Good luck.”

 

“Hn.” Heero knew they would need more than just luck; they were going to need that miracle.

 

~ * ~

 

tbc...